Atalanta BC suffer blow in bid to loan Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares?

Atalanta BC reportedly hit a stumbling block in their bid to sign Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares.

Last week, the Gunners confirmed that they had signed versatile Manchester City player Oleksandr Zinchenko in a deal worth £32m.

The Ukraine international is now expected to rival Kieran Tierney for the left-back spot at the Emirates Stadium, leaving Tavares's future up in the air.

Having only moved to North London last summer, the Portuguese still has three years remaining on his contract.

According to Italian journalist Luca Bendoni, that has led to Mikel Arteta being against the sale of the 22-year-old.

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Bendoni suggests that Arteta and Arsenal are only interested in parting ways with Tavares on a straight season-long loan deal.

Instead, Atalanta want to include an option to buy the former Benfica man on a permanent deal at the end of the upcoming campaign.

As a result, negotiations have seemingly reached an impasse, even with it being claimed that Tavares has already agreed personal terms with the Italian side.

Although Tavares endured a mixed first year at Arsenal, he was still provided with 13 starts and nine substitutes appearances in the Premier League.

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A number of starts came during the closing weeks of the campaign as Arsenal recorded notable wins over West Ham United, Chelsea and Manchester United.

Nevertheless, Arteta still made the decision to sign Zinchenko, effectively leaving Tavares as third choice on the left-hand side of his defence.

Should Tavares eventually link up with Atalanta, he stands in line to become the preferred option at left wing-back with Joakim Maehle and Davide Zappacosta more suited to the right.

Having only finished in eighth position in Serie A last season, Atalanta will not be participating in European football during 2022-23.

Brighton & Hove Albion have also been suggested as a possible destination for Tavares with Marc Cucurella continuing to be heavily linked with Man City.